A Head of State Leading by Example

Abstract

Before the introduction of smallpox vaccine, variolation was practiced as a preventive measure (i.e., deliberate infection with smallpox to provide immunity), most commonly by inserting or rubbing material from smallpox lesions into the skin of uninfected persons. Most persons thus infected would get a milder case of smallpox as the virus was generally introduced via the skin rather than via the respiratory route, as in the case of natural exposure.